A gym in Albion Park is striving to become a welcoming hub for the entire community, focusing on safety and inclusivity.
Federation Fitness, located on the site of the former Fitness Cartel, is placing a strong emphasis on community engagement. Owner Charlie Scerri envisions the facility as a "fitness hub" that combines wellness and training with a community focus.
"We're big on community feedback, we build these gyms for the members," Mr Scerri said. "Any feedback we get is very important to us, because we don't build them ourselves."
Based on member input, the gym has already made several changes, including expanding its cafe area. "Some people love the cafe, where they can actually sit down and socialise with each other and do stuff in that hub area," Mr Scerri noted. "Then also the gym, how much more open it is, and how clean it is. The type of equipment they want in there."
He added, "I just want it to be a gym that everyone can feel safe, and feel like they are a part of. That's our main goal."
Gym member Jamie Delaney praised Federation Fitness as a "great gym" with a wide range of machines and weights. "It's a great vibe, and that it's part of the fitness passport definitely helps," he said.
Murals and tributes
One of the first sights on the gym floor is a large mural featuring comic book characters. Around the corner, a tribute mural honours 13-year-old Gervis Wililo, who died in 2023. Mr Scerri confirmed that while the murals will be removed, a lasting tribute to Wililo will remain part of the gym.
"Maybe in a different format, with a plaque or something along those lines," he said. "He's part of the community, and we want to keep him recognised as well." The superhero murals do not fit the gym's aesthetic, so they will be covered, and a projector will display sports content instead.
